Sudden death with circumferential subepicardial fibrofatty replacement: left-sided arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy.

We report 5 cases of sudden cardiac death, with similar cardiac findings. All 5 cases had circumferential left ventricular subepicardial fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium, similar to the histologic features of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). In these cases, the findings were predominantly in the left ventricle with minimal or no involvement of the right ventricle.

Review of pathologic findings in remnant hearts following valve donation.

The failure of medical examiners/coroners (ME/C) to allow heart valve donation is a major problem encountered by tissue agencies. Even though many ME/C favor tissue donation they remain responsible for determination of cause and manner of death. In 2001, the Jesse E.

Patent foramen ovale: standards for a preclinical model of prevalence, structure, and histopathologic comparability to human hearts.

Background: This study evaluated and standardized a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) preclinical model in gross anatomic and histopathologic features.

Methods: We examined 150 necropsy-derived domestic porcine hearts, age 4-6 months for PFO prevalence, appearance, and size. Histopathologic preparations were standardized and processed identically to 24 post-mortem human hearts aged 16-62 years.

Giant aneurysms of coronary arteries and saphenous vein grafts: angiographic findings and histopathological correlates.

Introduction: Giant aneurysms that develop in native coronary arteries or saphenous vein grafts are morphologically defined as abnormally expanded outpouching vascular structures >4 cm in diameter. The location, morphology, and content of giant aneurysms account for adverse cardiovascular effects.

Methods: Two cases of giant aneurysms were studied comprehensively by noninvasive and invasive cardiac methods and subsequent histopathology.

Global remodeling of the ventricular interstitium in idiopathic myocardial fibrosis and sudden cardiac death.

Objective: Characterization of a distinct, and as yet unexplained phenotype of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Background: In a subgroup of patients with SCD, postmortem findings are limited to isolated idiopathic myocardial fibrosis (IMF). The absence of confounding factors may facilitate evaluation of the relationship between myocardial fibrosis and ventricular arrhythmogenesis.

Excimer laser ablation for valvular angioplasty in pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

Background And Objectives: The prognosis for infants with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) is poor and they present a major management challenge. Mechanical penetration of the atretic pulmonary valve is an applicable option for decompression of the right ventricle and optimization of left ventricular function. The utilization of laser energy for debulking and vaporization of the atretic valve tissue is a relevant approach due to the potential for controlled, precise mode of energy distribution.

An obstructive bicuspid aortic valve in the setting of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia: a rare combination.

As far as we are aware, a bicuspid aortic valve has not previously been reported in the setting of tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia. We describe this association in a newborn who presented with a murmur and cyanosis. Echocardiography showed tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, and also a moderately stenotic bicuspid aortic valve.

Postmortem molecular screening in unexplained sudden death.

Objectives: We examined the prevalence of defects in arrhythmia-related candidate genes among patients with unexplained sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Background: Patients with unexplained sudden death may constitute up to 5% of overall SCD cases. For such patients, systematic postmortem genetic analysis of archived tissue, using a candidate gene approach, may identify etiologies of SCD.

Cardiac pathologic findings reveal a high rate of sudden cardiac death of undetermined etiology in younger women.

Background: Between 1989 and 1998 there was a 21% increase in estimated sudden cardiac death among US women aged 35 to 44 years. In contrast, the sudden cardiac death rate in age-matched men showed a decreasing trend (-2.8%).

Aneurysm of fossa ovalis in adults: a pathologic study.

Background: Aneurysm of the fossa ovalis is an out pouching, space-occupying, interatrial septal structure. The anatomic morphology and characteristics of this aneurysm are of interest for pathologists and cardiologists alike.

Methods: We identified 33 specimens of adult hearts with a large size aneurysm of the fossa ovalis (length equal to or more than 10 mm from the plane of the atrial septum) in a registry of cardiovascular disease.

Creation of an intra-atrial communication with a new Amplatzer shunt prosthesis: preliminary results in a swine model.

A nitinol shunt device was applied in six minipigs to create a precise intra-atrial shunt. This self-expanding shunt device consists of two retention disks of 2-8 mm, a 4 mm connecting waist with a 10 mm eccentric hole. It requires a 7 Fr introducer sheath.

Sudden death in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: the importance of post-shock electromechanical dissociation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms of sudden death (SD) in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation [VT/VF]) treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Background: Despite ICD therapy, some patients with VT/VF still die suddenly. Optimal ICD use requires determination of the mechanisms of these residual SDs.